Sage Francis – A Healthy Distrust

Like most people, especially punk fans, all I know off rap and hip hop is the crap shows like MTV and MuchMusic shove down our throats. Tough guys talking about getting laid, partying, shooting up the neighborhoods, and girls with big asses. Its because of people like that that I’m not a fan of hip-hop or rap in anyway. The only person I really give a chance to is Eminem, not because I agree with his image, but because some of his songs are actually good. He has a way with lyrics, which, in reality, is what rap is supposed to be about.

Then comes Sage Francis tearing down all my misconceptions with his spectacular addition to Epitaph famed Punk-O-Roma 8. Two years later, I am finally holding a copy of Sage Francis‘s album, and it is A Healthy Distrust; and it will help tear down all my old thoughts about hip-hop.

Like Eminem, Sage Francis has a way with lyrics. On A Healthy Distrust, he attacks everything from all angles. The war in Iraq, homophobia, suicide, popular hip hop, religion, respect, the death of Johnny Cash, and his own intentions in life are all subjects rapped about. His lyrics are awe-inspiring. Direct, to the point, and very sociopolitical.

He’s not afraid to take chances at all. One of his biggest risk is problem with Sun Vs Moon where he debates religious beliefs stating “The devil only exists because of your belief in him. Same goes for that other guy” and “God’s not a woman. He’s a big white guy in the ski. And the deserts are reflections of his eyes. He doesn’t cry for us. But when he does…it’s because he’s drunk and he’s always fucked up. Bottom’s up“. Other risks and standout tracks are ones like Gunz Yo where he takes a stab at the main stream rap and hip hop artists parading around with a gun as if its a symbol of their manhood or Slow Down Ghandi where he attacks the current political system full of fake politicians and complainers who don’t do anything to change it.

His vocals don’t always fit perfectly with the beats, but the vocals are strong enough to last for themselves. A Healthy Distrust is an amazing rap album, showing that there’s more to that scene then just the macho “pimps” parading around on MTV. So check out Sage Francis and learn a bit more about a genre you would normally ignore.